A heel spur refers to excessive bone growth located in the front part of the calcaneus (heel bone) on the bottom of the foot. This typically develops as a result of excessive tension on the plantar fascia that attaches to that area. This excessive stress on the plantar fascia often causes it to become painful resulting in a condition called (plantar fasciitis). This is why plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are closely related and often occur together.
This excessive stress which causes the bone spur results from abnormal foot function. The bone spur itself is usually not painful. Pain is caused by the strain that results from the abnormal function. The bone spur is just the body’s response to this painful stress. Therefore, the most effective way to treat heel spurs is with appropriate footwear, and often the use of custom orthotics.